IN observance of the 65th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Enmore Martyrs, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Mr. Komal Chand said that in the face of today’s many challenges, inspiration can be drawn from their lives and struggles.

Chand was addressing a rally held in the memory of Lallabagee Kissoon, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookhie and Harry who perished at the hands of colonial police while fighting for better conditions for sugar workers on June 16, 1948.
He outlined the events leading up to the deaths of the five men and stressed that they did not die in vain, noting that the conditions under which workers in the industry work today are better because of the struggles of these men.
He further stated that the sugar industry has played a pivotal role in developing Guyana and noted that it is presently going through some struggles.
Chand stated that the sugar industry continues to serve the country in a multi-faceted way and because of this it cannot be allowed to fail.  According to him, should the industry fail, the impact will be nothing short of devastation.
He related that there is an urgent need to increase production levels so that with the continuing almost favourable prices, the industry will once again be able to perform profitable and offer significant benefits to those who depend on it.
“This is not time for complacency in the industry. We are of the view that its difficulties are demanding but not overwhelming. Let us draw a lesson from the Enmore martyrs and go forward boldly and united,” he urged.
Meanwhile, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Mr. Carvil Duncan stated that those working in the sugar industry are better off today, than before 1948 because the Enmore martyrs died fighting for just that.
While there are still faced with challenges, he highlighted that today workers are free to choose to be represented by a union of their choice, they are earning decent salaries and their working conditions have improved significantly.

Duncan noted that there is still room for improvement, but when one considers how far the industry has come, the changes are significant.
He emphasised that it is important to ensure that the path of the Enmore Martyrs does not return, but pointed out that GAWU has ensured that it has built a workers college, not only to educate workers, but to keep them constantly updated with what is happening in the industry.